The final game of the season saw the SDCC Development XI go to Balmoral Castle to play Crathie CC. With some last minute drop outs, SDCC were able to bring in alumni, Josh Fidler and club secretary Lily to make her debut for SDCC.
SDCC won the toss and elected to bat with Jordan sent out to open with Andrew. For Crathie, they brought on Crawley (Banchory) and O’Neill (Fraserburgh). A steady opening partnership between Jordan and Andrew helped with some wayward bowling as the pair eased to 61-0 in 10 overs through some very good running between the wickets that included an all run four but very few boundaries.
The two were able to put on an excellent 100 run partnership before Jordan scored his first 50 of the season before he retired not out and this was followed by Andrew bringing up another 50 for himself before he too retired.
This allowed George to resume his batting partnership with Shaun and the pair continued where they left off from the Portcullis game as they eased their way to another 50 partnership. George became the first (and only) wicket for Crathie when he was caught behind off the bowling of Morgan for 18.
SDCC 157-1.
Brayden, in his final game for the club came out gung ho trying to smash anything in site before easing off the pedal once Tasmin came out to join him. At this stage Shaun also retired for 27. With just two overs left, Brayden retired on 27 as well to bring in Ruben to join is twin and the two saw of the final overs without any loss.
SDCC 191-1 off 40 overs.
Following a fantastic tea that included the obligatory pies for all, SDCC went out to defend their total opening with Ross and Lily. For Crathie, Barker and O’Neill were sent in. Lily was able to take a wicket in her debut as she enticed Barker to drive on the up only to find the safe hands of Shaun at mid-off.
Crathie 13-1 off 3 overs.
With runs required, Crathie’s approach over the 10 overs were at odds with what was required as over after over was blocked and little aggression was shown. When O’Neill called Ewen for a quick single in the first show of aggression, they were punished as Tasmin gathered up the ball and sent the ball for Andrew to complete the runout.
Crathie 23-2 off 14 overs.
Atkinson joined O’Neill, but once again runs were kept down as the change of bowling saw Ruben and Josh tie both batsman up yielding just 9 runs in the next 8 overs. Another attempted quick single, saw Andrew prove to everyone he did not have a keeper’s arm as he fired in from deep to hit a single stump and have O’Neill (19) run out.
Crathie 40-3.
Lily was brought back into the attack, this time bowling with a much smaller leg side boundary and instantly reaped rewards to have Atkinson caught by Shaun in a carbon copy of her first wicket. Having confirmed he had not taken a stumping all year, Andrew watched in horror as Jordan, who took over the gloves after 20 overs, was able to take off the bails when George drew Thompson out of his crease.
Crathie 50-5 off 25 overs.
At this point with the run rate up to almost ten an over, Barry Geddes came out guns blazing and targeted the short boundary when he could. A change in bowling saw Brayden and Andrew take over and Brayden was able to tempt Geddes (22) into one too many shots before taking a good caught and bowled. Andrew topped off an excellent match for him with a well disguised, back of the hand slower ball that completely deceived Morgan as Crathie went to 92-7 that soon became 94-8 when Rufus picked up a wicket.
With just 3 overs left, Crathie finally showed some urgency as Crawley, batting at number 10 hit his first two balls for 6s. However, it proved to be a moot point as the Crathie innings closed on 124.
SDCC win by 67 runs.
Crathie MoM: Crawley for 0-24 in 6 overs and top scoring with 23.
SDCC MoM: as tempting as it was to give Lily the MoM for her debut wickets at the top of the order, this one is very easy to give to Andrew for his unbeaten 51, his 1-5 when he bowled, his run out when he was in the field and his clean sheet when he kept conceding no byes.
Highlight of the Match: There was a number of highlights from the game. Jordan scoring his first 50 of the season following a very difficult year, Josh coming back on holiday and being asked to put on some whites and bowling some left arm slow meds, Lily making her SDCC debut, Tasmin going into big sister mode and telling off her brother for not running on the final ball of the innings. However, once again the Crathie pies are the winner.
This was a pleasant way to end the season against a very hospitable and friendly team to sign off the 2016 season.